Naomi and Jim Brewer named outstanding volunteers by SJCCA
Naomi and Jim Brewer were recognized for their outstanding volunteerism for the St. James City Civic Association last month with the Ward Award.
The Ward Award, which was established this year by a donor, was created to honor the memory of Ruth Ward. An outstanding volunteer plaque will be presented annually to deserving members of the St. James City Civic Association.
“We feel very honored and pleased,” Naomi said of receiving the award.
The Brewers, who are 32-year members of the St. James City Civic Association, have donated their time in a number of ways over the years.
“We have loved working at the association and have a kind of reverence for the building,” Jim said, due to the effort of so many members donating their time.
In 1987, Jim was the president of the St. James City Civic Association and in 1987 and 1989 Naomi was the president of the Hobby Club.
For more than 20 years the Brewers have held and gathered the volunteers for the three annual rummage sales. They have also run the Museum of the Islands rummage sale for the past 14 years.
The rummage sales became a major source of the association’s operating income.
Jim also helped the association by doing fix-up work on the building. Naomi, along with other Hobby Club members, kept the building clean by conducting an annul spring-cleaning of the outside of the building.
The Brewers remember cleaning the awning grooves and jalousie windows in 95-degree weather with other members after the building got egged.
One year, Jim and other members patrolled the parking lot of the St. James City Civic Association during bingo season after members found their car tires without air.
The efforts of the Brewers continued as they remembered working bingo weekly, having dances at the association monthly, as well as on New Year’s. They also remember an amateur night at the civic building.
These active members also prepared food at the association. They made popcorn and cooked brats and steak sandwiches during the all-day spring festivals, which featured the Orange Blossom Special Band.
Potluck dinners were also held by the Brewers on and off for 10 years as well.
This couple continues to volunteer with other organizations on the island as well. They are active members with Museum of the Islands. Naomi has served as president and is currently the vice president of the museum.
The Brewers were also actively involved in raising the initial funds to implement the bike paths in St. James City.